Page 48 of His Pickle Her Jam

She was also right about working together. Suddenly, I saw it so clearly. A future where Jan and I were together every day.

Where I could stand with her, side by side, and we could work, live, love, and simply be.

It was a future I wanted so badly.

Jan’s face lifted in my direction. Like she could feel me watching her. Amber eyes met mine, and it was like I knew she was having the same exact thought.

Mrs. Jones traded places with her husband, and they continued to chat and eat samples, but my mind was stuck on Jan and that glimpse I had of our future.

I wanted to tell her now, but the block party was well on its way and tons of people were filing in and out of the shop, taking samples and flyers.

It was hours before we would have a break, but when we did, I was going to tell her exactly what I wanted.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO-JAN

Day of the Block Party

I couldn’t believe we’d been handing out samples for the last four hours. Everyone was so supportive and complimentary it was like a dream come true.

For now, we were just telling folks a surprise store would pop up soon and giving them flyers with our online information. Mr. and Mrs. Jones had gone to see the rest of their old neighbors and to enjoy the party, but promised to return by two with their decision.

That was in five minutes.

My stomach clenched. My hands were sweating, and I wiped them on my apron. My eyes darted up, and I saw a familiar woman approach me.

“Hi, I’m Melanie, Buck’s cousin,” she began, a nervous smile on her face.

“Nice to meet you.”

“I bet. Look, I am really sorry about the misunderstanding. Buck explained it to me. And I just wanted to let you know my cuz is a total dork, but he’s a good guy.”

I felt my cheeks burn, and I laughed and accepted her apology.

“Thanks for saying all that, Melanie. I appreciate it.”

“No worries. Maybe now my goofy cuz will stop moping around the house. Oooh, it that tomato jam? I need some of that!”

“Have at it,” I told her with a wink.

What I was about to propose was a little nutty, but it was something I couldn’t help but feel was right for the both of us.

David said he loved me. If he meant it, like I thought he did, then maybe this wouldn’t seem so crazy.

“Del, can you mind the counter?”

“Of course,” she replied, eyes twinkling as she sat on her stool and chatted with a few potential customers.

I walked around the counter, my eyes on David. He seemed to sense me staring, and he was already moving to meet me.

“Everything okay?” he asked, concern filling his gaze.

“Yeah. I was just, um, thinking,” I said, but he took my hand and dragged me away from the crowd into the kitchen.

“Sorry. Didn’t want eavesdroppers.”

“I get it. Um, I was just thinking, you know, this place is huge.”

“The store? Yeah.”

---